A report going to the Council’s executive committee next week has set out the key principles for the long-term regeneration of Collyhurst in north Manchester.
Beginning in summer 2023, the Council began initial engagement work with local people to discuss the ambition for future investment in the community following the first phase of building that began at the end of 2022.
This ongoing conversation – including a recent drop-in co-design workshop and consultation event in March this year – will help guide a masterplanning exercise which intends to make Collyhurst a great place to live for existing and new residents.
This includes building more affordable, sustainable homes and creating different types of housing to support residents at different stages in their life.
The neighbourhood investment should include quality green spaces, along with improved walking and cycling routes that take better advantage of the area’s close proximity to the city centre while also improving connections to other local neighbourhoods.
Future education provision is also being considered close to existing schools near Ringstead Drive to ensure there is enough, good quality provision to meet Primary and Secondary school requirements in this part of the city.
there is potential for key investment in a new Metrolink tram stop at Sandhills that could further improve transport links in the area and create a focal point for a new town centre investment opportunity.
The first phase of the Victoria North programme in Collyhurst Village will see 244 new homes, including 100 Council homes for social rent, alongside new public realm and community park, retail and community space. In South Collyhurst there will be a further 30 new Council social rented homes, which are also on site now.
At Collyhurst Village, the first social rent properties are currently being built and they are expected to be completed by the autumn, ready to welcome the first residents.
The first phase of the regeneration of Collyhurst is expected to be fully completed in 2026.
The Collyhurst Village and South Collyhurst sites represent part of the first phase of the Victoria North regeneration programme – one of the largest projects of its kind in the UK and a joint venture project with FEC.
Over the next 10 to 15 years, Victoria North will become a new town with the city where 15,000 new homes will be across 155hectares of brownfield land between Victoria train station and Queen’s Park in north Manchester.
Seven new and emerging neighourhoods will be connected by high quality green spaces and the River Irk will be opened up and celebrated for the first time in decades.
Victoria North is an ambitious example of urban renewal, capable of building new homes at scale to help deliver the homes that Manchester and the wider region needs – and will be fundamental to the Council’s economic and residential growth strategies.
The regeneration programme also provides a unique opportunity to reconnect communities in north Manchester economically through employment and skills initiative that have already begun, as part of the North Manchester Social Value Framework.
Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said:
“It was important that we used the energy and momentum of the Victoria North programme to invest early in the Collyhurst community as a clear statement of intent for future regeneration in this neighbourhood.
“We know there are higher levels of deprivation in north Manchester than other parts of the city, and although some great work is taking place – both in terms home building and social investment in work and skills – there is still work to be done to help these communities thrive.
“The first phase sites are progressing well and we look forward to welcoming the first new residents later this year, but this is only the start of our intentions. We have been in conversation with the local community since last summer, a process that has been invaluable in understanding their needs and they have guided the principles for development in the area.
“This conversation will continue in the coming months ahead of a full public consultation later this year when we will be able to present more detailed proposals for the future of Collyhurst.”
